Method for pest control

ABSTRACT

A method of controlling rats and the like by magnetically attaching a pest control device to a dumpster.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 12/855,460, filed Aug.12,2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of animal pest controldevices such as traps and poison dispensers or bait stations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a pest control device and a method for usingsame, in which the device is magnetically secured to dumpstersfrequented by rats and other rodents. The pest control device comprisesa box with a lid which opens to allow easy access to the inside of thedevice where the bait is placed, and a hole in at least one of the wallsof the box to allow animals to enter the trap and consume the bait. Thebox also has at least one magnet near the top edge of a wall of the box,which can be used to adhere the trap to dumpster, such that the lid istrapped in the closed position when the device is magnetically attachedto the dumpster, thereby holding the lid closed and preventing access tothe bait other than through the hole or holes designed to allow animalsto enter. These and other objects, advantages and features of theinvention will be more fully understood and appreciated by reference tothe following description and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the pest control device with the lidopen.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the magnet.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional side view of the pest control device.

FIG. 3A is a detailed view of the cross section of the lip around thetop edge of the bottom portion of the pest control device.

FIG. 3B is a detailed view of the cross section of the snapping portionof the lid.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the pest control device in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a dumpster with the pest controldevice magnetically attached.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In one preferred embodiment, the pest control device 10 consists of abox with a bottom 12, two side walls 14, two end walls 16, and a lid 18.(FIG. 1.) At least one of the end walls 16, and preferably both endwalls 16, have holes 20 therethrough, sized sufficiently for theentrance of the animals that the device 10 is intended to catch orattract. The pest control device 10 described herein may be provided inother shapes, for example, a triangle, a pentagon or other polygonalshape or a circular or elliptical shape, if desired.

On the bottom 12 of the device 10, a bait holder 22 is provided, tosecure bait 13 in the pest control device 18. The term “bait” as usedherein is intended to include poisonous bait. The bait holder 22 maypreferably comprise, for example, spikes 24 extending upwardly from thebottom of the device 10, such that bait can be secured, on the spikes24. Additionally, the bait holder 22 may optionally be raised off of thebottom 12 on a platform 26, such that the bait is held above the bottom12 and safely out of any liquid that may have a tendency to accumulatein the device 10. To further prevent the soaking of the bait in anyliquid that may accumulate in the device 10, at least one drainage hole28 may optionally be provided in the bottom 12 of the device 10. The lid18 is preferably a hinged lid 18.

Magnet-receiving members 30, capable of receiving magnets 32 orotherwise allowing for the attachment of magnets 32 to the end walls, 16are provided at the top edge of at least one pair of opposed end walls16, preferably near the top of two opposing walls 16. In one embodiment,the magnets 32 may have shaped features, e.g. notches 34, which allowthe magnets 32 to be mechanically held in place by a detent 36 in magnetreceiving member 30. (FIGS. 1 and 2) The lid 18 is shaped to provide cutaway portions 19 over magnet retainers 30. This allows the magnets 32 tocome into direct contact with the magnetic, metallic surface of adumpster. When magnets 32 are inserted into the magnet-receivingportions 30, such magnets 32 operate to secure the pest control device10 to a magnetic, metallic surface of a dumpster, typically the bottom.

Preferably, the dimensions of the device 10 are such that the bait forthe desired animal can be held by the device 10, and the desired animalis able to enter into the device 10 and eat the bait. One example wouldbe a device 10 that is intended for rats where the side walls 14 areabout 12 inches long, the end walls are about 7.75 inches long, and theheight of the side walls 14 and end walls 16 is about 3.5 inches. Theholes 20 are also preferably sized to allow the animal for which thedevice 10 is designed to enter the device 10, and also to prevent theentry of children or other animals such as pets that the user desires tokeep out of the device 10 and away from the bait. In the example of arat trap, such holes 211 may be about 2.25 inches in diameter, whichwould allow the rat to enter, but would prevent larger animals and mostchildren's hands from entering the pest control device 10. Thedimensions of the device 10 described herein are not intended to belimiting, merely an example of one potential size configuration that canbe used when rats are the animal that the device 10 is intended toattract or catch.

The lid 18 is the preferred embodiment allows for ready access to thebait holder 22 in the device 10 when the device 10 is not secured to adumpster. However when the lid 18 is closed, and the device 10 issecured to a dumpster using the magnets 32, the lid 18 is trappedbetween the top edge of the walls 14, 16 and the magnetic surface of thedumpster, thereby holding the lid 18 closed, sealing the bait inside thedevice 10, and limiting access to the bait to animals that aresufficiently small that they arc able to enter through the holes 20 inthe side wails 14, 16, thereby limiting access to the bait to theintended targets of the pest control device 10. If a hinged lid 18 ispresent, the hinged lid 18 is rotatably connected to one of the walls 14by a molded in place plastic hinge 28 along the top of the wall 14.

The lid 18 may optionally he secured in the closed position by the useof a snap-lock feature, a latching feature or a lock. (FIGS. 1 and 3).For example, the lid 18 and the walls 14, 16 may be provided withinterlocking mechanical features, such as a protruding lip 38 on the topedge of the walls 14, 16 and a shaped edge 40 on the hinged rid 18designed to “snap” over the protruding lip 38 of the walls 14, 16.(FIGS. 3, 3 A, 3B). As another example, the device 10 may optionally beprovided with a mechanical latching mechanism 42 on the lid 18 which issecured over a protruding lip 38 of the walls 14, 16, or with amechanical latching mechanism 42 on the wails 14, 16 to be secured overthe hinged lid 38. (FIG. 1) A latching mechanism 42 could also bemodified to permit insertion of a padlock or other lock to keep thedevice 10 closed.

A hinged lid 18 is preferred in that it eliminates the potential forlost components of the device 10. However, a fully removable lid 18could also be used.

The magnetic fastening of the pest control device 10 allows the trap tobe securely hut removably secured to dumpsters in locations where animalpests may he present. The ability to remove and reposition the trap 10,allows the device 10 to be easily emptied or re-filled, but preventsaccess to the device 10 by children or pets.

The bait holder 22 is preferably also designed, to limit the access tothe bait to animals who are inside the device 10, such as by locatingthe bait toward one side 14 of the device 10 not directly in line withthe holes 20, thereby making it more difficult to reach the bait fromoutside the device 10.

To use the device 10 described herein, bait is loaded into the baitholder 22 through the top opening when the hinged lid 18 is opened. Oncethe device 10 is loaded with bait, the hinged lid 18 is closed, and thenthe device 10 is placed along the side or underside of a dumpster.Particularly, using the magnets 32 to secure the device 10 to thedumpster allows the dumpster to be moved and tipped and loaded andunloaded without disturbing the device 10 and without the need toreposition the device 10.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the pertinent arts that stillother embodiments of pest control device 10 in accordance with theinvention can be designed, and modifications and variations of theabove-described illustrative embodiment of the invention may be effectedwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of theinvention.

1. A method of trapping or eliminating animal pests, comprising:magnetically attaching a pest control device having at least one magnetto a dumpster.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pest control devicehas an openable lid, and wherein the openable lid is trapped between thebody of the pest control device and the magnetically surface when thepest control device is magnetically attached to said dumpster.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 in which the pest control device used comprises: a boxwith walls, a bottom and an open top with an openable lid for openingand closing said open top; at least one hole in one of said walls whichis sized to allow an animal to enter the device; and at least onemagnet, which is positioned at or near the top of said wall such thatwhen said nest control device is attached to a magnetically activesurface, said openable lid is held in the closed position between saidbox and said magnetically active surface.
 4. The method of claim 3 whichincludes two of said magnets, located on opposite walls of said device.5. The method of claim 4 in which said lid has openings which arepositioned over said magnets when said lid is closed, whereby saidmagnets can make contact with a magnetically active surface.
 6. Themethod of claim 5 which includes a bait holder inside said box,
 7. Themethod of claim 1 in which the pest control device used comprises a boxwith two side walls and two end wads; magnets being located on said endwalls; openings being located in each of said end walls, closer to oneof said side wails than the other; a bait holder being located near theother of said side walls, whereby said bait holder is offset from saidopenings and not easily accessible, except to an animal entering theinterior of said box.
 8. A method of trapping or eliminating animalpests, comprising: providing a box with walls, a bottom and a top; atleast one hole in one of said walls which is sized to allow an animal toenter the device; and a bait holder inside said box, elevated above saidbottom of said box, whereby hah placed thereon is kept dry.
 9. Themethod of claim 8 in which the pest control device used comprises a boxwith two side walls and two end walls; openings being located in each ofsaid end walls, closer to one of said side walls than the other; a baitholder being located near the other of said side walls, whereby saidbait holder is offset from said openings and not easily accessible,except to an animal entering the interior of said box: said bait holderbeing elevated relative to said bottom, whereby bait placed thereon iskept dry.